The Problem of Unconditional Love

By Bob Williford, former director of the Hope Migrant Mission Center at the Migrant Farm Labor Center near Hope, Arkansas (a ministry of the Arkansas Baptist Convention), and author of Fence Post Digest blog.

For some time I have been troubled by the incredible proclamation the concept of God’s unconditional love. My problem is what I have witnessed over the years of disgruntled and unsatisfied church goers. These are the folks that simply do not ‘get it’. An example of this are these words uttered by a person awaiting believer’s baptism in response to my question, “How are you going to get to Heaven?” The answer was, “I guess by living a good life.”

Together we had heard the local preacher proclaim God’s unconditional love for those who choose to live a good life and follow Him. This young man responded to the preacher’s invitation and was willing to enter the waters of baptism at that moment. The church members chose not to baptize on that morning because the baptistry was empty. This was troubling to me for many reasons and I followed him out the front door of the church in hot pursuit. The preacher escaped me.

Is God’s love truly unconditional? I am not so sure.  God’s love is most often seen as His blanket acceptance of all people. With this is in mind, how can we conceive of Him sending those who reject Him to an eternal hell? Read the following:

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time” (1Tim 2:1-6).

Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?  But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.  Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied” (1Cor 15:12-19).

There are a multitude of verses in the New Testament that are used as proof for unconditional love, but not once are those exact words ever used. The implication is that unconditional love is the message. However, the problem is just that — ‘implication’.

My suggestion is that God’s love requires an appropriate response from one desiring to follow Him. Jesus’ love can be rejected and is. The following lyrics by Chris Tomlin proclaim,

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken,
I’m accepted, You were condemned.
I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me,
Because You died and rose again.

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken,
I’m accepted, You were condemned.
I am alive and well, Your Spirit is within me,
Because You died and rose again.

Certainly, Mr. Tomlin is proclaiming truth from the heart of a person who is following the Christ. However, far too many look past the message of Scripture that requires response to Him. For people who do not read Scripture do not hear the call of the Christ.

And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” And He said to him, “Why are you asking me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Then he said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me (Matt. 19:16-21).

In this exchange nothing is mentioned of the love of God, but His Son simply says that one must commit himself to following Him. Of course, it must be understood that here we see the Christ NOT as Savior, but as Messiah and Lord…..a vast difference in reference to the context.

Could it be that “unconditional love” is taught so that God’s love is not used as a manipulation of His invitation for Salvation? I am certain that God does not love us for selfish purposes nor does He demand absolute perfection from those who chose to believe and follow Him. This relationship is not based upon our works of self-righteousness but upon his extended love to His creation. He loves His Church in spite of spots and blemishes.

My fear is that too often preachers avoid repentance and condemnation for fear of offending those in the pew. In doing so there is neglect in making a connection between faith and obedience. Far too often the lost sinners feel they can trust in Christ and never understand their necessity to obey Him as Lord.

We hear that God’s grace is unmerited favor but somehow we forget to transmit the message that we are enabled to reject ungodliness. Also neglected is the truth that we should live godly, self-controlled lives in this present age. What I have observed is a cheap grace that allows one to get saved and continue in sin. God’s love does not allow for one to live in sin and corrupt the love He demonstrated at Calvary.

This mistaken view of unconditional love does not call for nor demand a change of behavior, much less a commitment to Christ. There is no call for submission to Him as Master and Lord. Certainly churches are impressive while growing in number without telling people that their transgression is not allowed by the love of God.  All the while preaching a mistaken view of unconditional love becomes acceptable malpractice.

The God that I read about in the Bible demands that we enter into a covenant relationship with Him. His covenant is conditional. His conditions have always demanded that we love Him by demonstration in worship and life. For those who do not believe this are not reading the same Bible that I am. The death of Christ on the cross calls for our commitment to Him and these are conditions for knowing and living out God’s love.

To obey Him is to experience His love. If we decide to reject Him we fall under His justice of eternal judgment. After the Final Judgment those who have rejected Him will find themselves eternally separated from His love because of unconditional love? There is a problem here.

Jesus is Lord!

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